JUST IN; Federal Govt commences payment of second tranche of wage award to workers
JUST IN; Federal Govt commences payment of second tranche of wage award to workers
The Federal Government has begun paying the second installment of the N35,000 monthly wage award arrears to civil servants, an effort to fulfill its commitments to federal workers.
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) confirmed the disbursement on Friday, stating that the payment is part of the outstanding wage award designed to ease the impact of recent economic reforms on public sector employees.
According to Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the OAGF, this payment addresses the second of five months of arrears owed to workers.
The government had previously paid one month’s arrears, bringing the remaining balance to three months.
The N35,000 monthly wage award was introduced as a temporary measure to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and other reforms that have increased the cost of living.
It was agreed upon during negotiations between the Federal Government and organized labor as a stopgap until a new minimum wage is established.
The OAGF dismissed claims that the government had abandoned the wage award, stating that payments are being made in phases and will continue until all arrears are cleared.
“The Federal Government has not reneged on its obligation. The wage award arrears will continue to be paid in installments of N35,000 per month until the outstanding balance is completely settled,” the statement read.
This partial payment may help to alleviate tensions between labor unions and the government, who have been under pressure to address rising inflation and economic challenges. Broader discussions on public sector salary adjustments are ongoing.
